Valentine’s Day usually stirs up thoughts of table lit candles, dressed up date nights, bouquets of roses, and chocolate-dipped strawberries. Then you have a baby and suddenly Valentine’s Day might seem to change a little bit. After all, it is a day to celebrate love and you have got a new little love to add to the festivities!

We are here to tell you that Valentine’s Day can still be an absolute blast after becoming parents. In fact, you can even have the best of both worlds by celebrating with your baby during the day and hiring a sitter so you and your partner can have a romantic night just like you used to! We’ve gathered up some of our favorite ideas for how to spend Valentine’s Day with your baby below in hopes of inspiring you.

Dress Up and Take a Valentine’s Family Photo

Of course, this holiday would not be complete without capturing a precious family photo. Dress up or dress down in your favorite Valentine’s pajamas, set the self-timer, and create your masterpiece! I love having photos like this to cherish and remember all the little things, so I use any excuse to gather them up and capture one. 

You can also plan out a family photo shoot with a professional photographer. You can often find photographers in your area through community Facebook pages. A quick 30-minute session is great with little ones.

Plan a Family Picnic

Let’s be honest, going to a restaurant with a baby can be downright scary. They might just sleep through it or they might decide to do that high pitched screech and demand being in your arms the whole time. That’s why I love grabbing our favorite food to go and having a family picnic. Packing a traditional picnic in a basket and sitting on a blanket is always fun, but parenthood is complicated so if you pick up some Panera and hang out on the park benches your time spent together will be just as meaningful! 

If the weather is too cold for an outdoor picnic; move the couches to the side, lay down a blanket in the living room, and order in some food! 

Make a Keepsake

Baby’s first work of art! Your baby might not be old enough to make you a gift on their own, but together you can create a priceless keepsake for Valentine’s Day. Handprint or footprint crafts are always a great option for young babies. Here are a couple of ideas; 

Handprint Plate

Finger Painting

A Cute Surprise for Mom, Dad, or Grandparents

Decorate Your House (and the Nursery, too!)

You do not have to save decorating the house for Christmas, I love adding simple touches around the house to celebrate every holiday. I especially love adding decoration to the nursery since it is the room we spend so much time in. You don’t have to go out and buy a ton of expensive decorations, adding a couple of pink and red pillows and Dollar Store decorations can go a long way. 

Get Matching Valentine’s PJs 

Rather than dressing up for a night out, dress down in the comfiest craziest matching Valentine’s themed pajamas you can find. This is a fun way to incorporate the whole family into a Valentine’s Day celebration. Once you are all in your matching pajamas, you can have a game night or a movie night together. 

Here are some adorable family pajama set options! 

Lunch with Baby, Date Night for Dinner

I think it is important to note you don’t need to give up your traditional romantic Valentine’s Day just because you are new parents. In fact, this is the perfect night to hire a babysitter or call up that friend who has been offering to babysit. To avoid the parent guilt, spend the beginning of the day making a special memory with your little one. You can spend breakfast or lunch together. 

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How you spend your Valentine’s Day is up to you, but I hope this list has helped you come up with some creative options for how to spend it with your baby! Whether you choose to have a picnic, make some crafts, or wear matching pajamas this Valentine’s Day can be just as special as ever. 

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